Eagles selected for tonight’s match against Fiji in Japan

NAGOYA, Japan – USA Rugby Men’s Eagles Head Coach Mike Tolkin has named his 23-man roster for the Pacific Nations Cup match against Fiji, to be played at Nagoya Municipal Mizuho Park Rugby Ground in Japan Wednesday.

Following Friday’s 9-18 loss to Tonga at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., Tolkin is resting most of the players who have started the past two matches. Luke Hume returns after missing out on the Tonga match due to injury and Adam Siddall, who earned his first Eagles cap in the opening Pacific Nations Cup match against Canada May 25, will start at center alongside former AIG Men’s Collegiate All-AmericanSeamus Kelly.

The Eagles are coming off of three losses so far this season, but each match has been within “winning distance.”

“We need to bounce back and play smarter rugby and be more hungry to get hold of and keep the ball,” Tolkin said. “We need to have patience and smart decision-making throughout the game. Some players need to step up and make the plays that they are expected to as international players if we expect to win. Some younger players will have the opportunity to prove themselves on the squad.”